All Songs Considered 2 CD

All Songs Considered, Vol. 2, moves politely between post-rock experimentalism, plaintive Americana, kooky hot jazz and swing, and lightly Latin instrumentalism, delving further into the diverse palette of sounds and flavors present in NPR's daily news program All Things Considered. The album begins with "In the Deep Shade," a quietly powerful instrumental from under-appreciated Irish group the Frames. While the brittle electronica of Moby's "Porcelain" could have been written exclusively for NPR, and therefore doesn't have as much resonance, Don Byron's version of "Dicty Glide" is the perfect setup for the Raymond Scott Quintette and "Toy Trumpet." Other highlights include the Cuban lilt of Marc Ribot and Los Cubanos Postizos' "Aqui Como Altá," David Schnaufer's gorgeously swaying instrumental dulcimer rendering of "All I Have to Do Is Dream," and the Be Good Tanyas' "Littlest Birds," which spins a gossamer good mood web. ~ Johnny Loftus

Liner Note Author: Bob Boilen.